Kawczynski told reporters that his dismissal was "a firing without cause," and said he agreed to the compromise because of his "desire to make sure the people of Jackman no longer undergo any of the unwanted media attention and scrutiny, which they're receiving today," according to the Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel.

Kawczynski is getting a lucrative gift along with his walking papers. He said he signed an agreement to the $30,000 severance package stipulating that he will not sue. He was paid $49,000 annually.

While telling reporters that "I hate no race and I love all people," Kawczynski also said that he has "serious questions" about Islam, according to the Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel.

He has also referred to Islam as "barbarism," according to the Bangor Daily News.

"I'm glad that the town has proved to everybody that this is not who we are," Marie Harnois, a member of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, told the Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel. "It's just a good feeling."

"I hope we get back on our feet, and I hope this reflects well on the town, because we won't put up with any racist or religious segregation, period," Carl Marihuber told the newspaper.

Jackman is a town of less than 900, almost all white. The town describes itself online as a "tourist friendly region," and some residents have said they feared the controversy over Kawczynski's views could keep people away.

"It's unacceptable to see people in leadership positions espousing white nationalist views," said Heidi Beirich, director of the Southern Poverty Law Center's Intelligence Project.

Kawczynski said he supported Donald Trump during his successful run for the White House because of his pledge to "take care of the American people first."

He told reporters that he feels his views have been mischaracterized, and defended the controversial concepts he posted on his "New Albion" website.

"We are a cultural fit. We are open to all ethnicities, all races," he said, according to the Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel.

"And I reject categorically the suggestion that I am a racist, a bigot, a Nazi, or any of the other foul names which have been attributed to me or my wife. What I will say, and I will say this quite publicly, is I do believe that we have the rights as citizens, as American citizens, to assert that some ideas are better than others and to have discussions about those ideas. That does not take away people's constitutional rights to express them. But no citizen, without regard to what their office is, should have to give up their rights of free expression or freedom of assembly."